The former Minneapolis police officer who was charged with murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd has been transferred to a maximum-security prison, according to the Daily Mail.
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The news site reports that Chauvin, 44, was initially transferred to the Hennepin County Jail. But just hours later, he was moved to a department of corrections facility in Oak Park Heights — Minnesota’s only Level Five maximum security facility.
During a press conference Sunday night, Commissioner of Corrections Paul Schnell said that Chauvin has been moved partially due to COVID-19 concerns, especially considering the number of protesters who had already been arrested on Sunday. Chauvin was due to appear in court on Monday but with Minneapolis still gripped by unrest the appearance was pushed back until June 8.
The news comes just a day after it was reported that Chauvin is currently on a round-the-clock suicide watch as officers are checking his cell every 15 minutes.
As we previously reported, Chauvin was seen on camera detaining George Floyd for suspicion of forgery. During the arrest, he pinned him down to the ground and placed his knee of Floyd’s neck. The 46-year-old lost consciousness and later died at a local hospital.
He will remain at the maximum security facility as he awaits his first court date in the death of Floyd.
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